A binary blend and ternary reactive blends of 90/10 LLDPE/NR using maleic anhydride (MA) as a reactive agent with and without dicumyl peroxide (DCP) were made at 150 degrees C in an internal mixer. The fracture surfaces of the blends were conventionally observed by TEM and atomic force microscope, revealing that the rubber domains became smaller with the addition of MA and DCP. This suggested that the in situ graft copolymer (LLDPE-g-NR) was formed and acted as an in situ compatibilizer to enhance interfacial adhesion. This was further supported by FTIR results. Importantly, after removal of NR phase from the blends, the remaining LLDPE part was dissolved in hot xylene, purified by precipitation in methanol, and carefully prepared by solvent casting for TEM observation. The microstructures of the solvent-extracted LLDPE from all blends are unlike that of solvent cast-pure LLDPE, which shows only crystalline structure. This leads to an unambiguous way to disclose the existence of an in situ graft copolymer. The solvent-extracted LLDPE from the blends shows mixed morphology of LLDPE crystalline structure and its in situ graft copolymer as nanofibrillar networks of the NR phase protruded from the amorphous region of the LLDPE matrix due to spinodal decomposition by the solvent removal. Adding MA makes more branches and fibril connections of the NR phase, whereas a thinner fibril network and more links of the NR and the LLDPE amorphous region are found in the reactive blend with MA and DCP, where the most compatibilized blend is obtained. (c) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.